Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs) beat Andre Berto (28-2, 22 KOs) Saturday night at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif., to capture the interim WBC welterweight title.
Guerrero won via a unanimous decision after a thrilling 12-round battle.
After the controversy that surrounded Berto, his failed drug test and the reinstatement of his boxing license, it appears the damage done by the incident has affected him in the ring as much as out of it.
Guerrero looked like a fighter on a mission during this bout, and the strong punching and quick movement of Berto couldn’t stop The Ghost from leaving his mark on his opponent.
This is now Guerrero’s eighth win in a row.
What It Means
After a wild battle Saturday night, this victory for Guerrero is exactly what he needed to take the next step up in the boxing scene. With welterweight being one of the hottest divisions in the sport, The Ghost just staked his claim as one of the best.
As for Berto, his second loss in three fights has ruined the public perception of a fighter that many dubbed as the next big thing. The star was 27-0 before losing to Victor Ortiz, but it may have been the ruined rematch due to the drug test issues that stunted his momentum.
Whatever the cause of Berto’s downfall has been, these two fighters are on two very different trajectories in the business.
What’s Next?
While it is once again back to the drawing board for Berto, Guerrero already has another welterweight star looking to fight him—Marcos Maidana.
Maidana told Boxing Scene that since he was scheduled to fight Guerrero last year—The Ghost was forced to pull out because of a shoulder injury—he should be the one to face the winner of Saturday's battle.
There are many options moving forward for both Berto and Guerrero, but each needs to book a smart fight next to ensure they are moving in the right direction going into 2013; Berto needs a win and The Ghost needs to make a serious statement.
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